Friends, the time has finally come for the new Black Panther film. If you are like my family, we were waiting for another part of the story the moment the credits rolled on the first one in 2018.
Four years is not a long time to wait for a sequel, but in the grand scheme of life as we know it now, after Chadwick Boseman’s passing, and after three years in a global pandemic, this film and its cast had so much to battle.
I had to pleasure of seeing a pre-screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and I have my full review, with absolutely no spoilers. Is it a Marvel movie that is safe for children? Does this second film live up to the magnificence of the first Black Panther? Can Wakanda’s storyline continue without King T’Challa? And without Chadwick Bosman?
What is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever About?
In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore.
As the Wakandans fight to protect their nation in the wake of King T’Challa’s death, the story opens up into a in-depth look at loss, love and grief. Art imitated life for the actors of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as they created this movie while dealing with the loss of their fellow actor and friend, Chadwick Boseman.
Grief in Wakanda
I am not shy to grief and the levels you can go through over time. I knew going in this movie would be hard. What I didn’t know was how incredibly thoughtful it would be. King T’Challa is honoured and all characters experience parts of grief I have felt in one way or another. The actors were so strong in their roles and so deep in their feelings. To watch that on screen was special.
For anyone that has lost a loved one, especially in these last few years as the world was shut down, not allowing us to truly deal with closure and traditional goodbyes, this film offers all shades of grief through the eyes of the characters in Wakanda. For some viewers, this will be cathartic and emotional, for others (perhaps younger children) it might be hard to handle. This is my only PSA for parents.
Letitia Wright as Shuri in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Safe for Kids?
Other typical Marvel scenarios are present, such as fighting, killing (war scenes) and some cursing. However, if you are a family that has seen other Marvel movies, this will not surprise you. You know your child better than anyone, so please take this information with you for your decision on whether they can see it or not. I recommend the movie for tweens, teens and above. As well, there is a rating of PG13 for the movie.
(L-R): Danai Gurira as Okoye and Letitia Wright as Shuri in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2022 MARVEL.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Worth it?
As a parents of teens now, Marvel is huge in our home, however I will be honest with you, I do not like all Marvel movies. In fact, I didn’t even watch some all the way through (cough, cough, Captain Marvel). Black Panther is by far, our favourite Marvel film.
I know that when my boys see this movie, it will most likely take number one on their list. And this movie is two hours and forty minutes, friends. Very long, but very epic!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has everything you want to see in a superhero sequel and more; original cast, new and exciting characters, a completely new world to discover, the fight between good and evil, funny jokes and sarcasm, amazing CGI and stunt scenes…so, so much.
What’s more, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gives you an outlet for your emotions of this roller coaster world, as well as (and what every superhero movie needs as well) hope.
Prepare to thoroughly enjoy this movie! Oh, and don’t get up too fast, there is a last scene you will not want to miss!! (No spoilers!) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now playing in theatres.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. © 2022 MARVEL.
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